March 2026 Tennis Round-Up: What It Means for Wimbledon

March brought the two biggest hard-court events of the spring, with Indian Wells and Miami completing the Sunshine Double. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner won both titles in dominant fashion, while Aryna Sabalenka did the same on the women’s side. Although attention now turns to clay, these results still matter for Wimbledon, as form, confidence and fitness continue to shape the road to The Championships.

Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic made his first appearance since the Australian Open in Indian Wells, where he was beaten in the fourth round by defending champion Jack Draper in a high-quality match. Draper’s run ended in the next round against an in-form Daniil Medvedev, who then handed Carlos Alcaraz his first defeat of the season in the semi-finals.

In the other half of the draw, Alex Zverev beat Arthur Fils to set up a semi-final against Jannik Sinner, after the Italian had overcome Learner Tien. Sinner then beat Zverev and edged past Medvedev in two tie-break sets to win his first Indian Wells title.

For Wimbledon watchers, the biggest takeaway was Sinner’s authority. His level throughout the fortnight reinforced his position as one of the leading contenders for Centre Court’s biggest matches later in the summer. Alcaraz’s defeat matters less in isolation, but it did show that the gap at the top may be narrower than it looked earlier in the season.

In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff was forced to retire in the third round against Alexandra Eala. Linda Noskova made a surprise run to the semi-finals, where she met Aryna Sabalenka after the world number one had beaten Victoria Mboko. Sabalenka won in straight sets to reach the final.

Elina Svitolina beat Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, while Elena Rybakina defeated Jessica Pegula to set up a semi-final against Svitolina. Rybakina then reached the final, where she held championship points in the deciding-set tie-break. Sabalenka, however, came through a dramatic finish to win the title.

That result was especially relevant for Wimbledon. Sabalenka’s form suggested she could again be one of the leading names in the women’s draw, while Rybakina’s level served as another reminder of how dangerous she remains heading towards the grass season.

Miami

Djokovic withdrew from the second leg of the Sunshine Double, while rain delays disrupted much of the event. Alcaraz exited in the third round against Seb Korda, continuing a less convincing month by his standards.

Jiri Lehecka beat qualifier Martin Landaluce to reach the semi-finals, while Arthur Fils came through a strong match against Tommy Paul to join him there. Lehecka then produced another impressive performance to reach his first Masters final.

In the other half, Zverev beat Francisco Cerundolo to set up another meeting with Sinner, after the Italian had beaten Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals. Sinner again came through against Zverev, before beating Lehecka in the final to complete the Sunshine Double.

By doing so, Sinner became the first man to win the Sunshine Double without dropping a set, and the first to win three Masters titles in a row without dropping a set. That kind of form will only increase expectations ahead of Wimbledon, where he will arrive as one of the clearest contenders for the title.

In the women’s event, Swiatek won her opening match to extend a remarkable run, but that streak ended when she lost to compatriot Magda Linette. Karolina Muchova emerged from that section of the draw, beating Mboko to reach the semi-finals. Gauff recovered well from Indian Wells, beating Belinda Bencic and then Muchova to reach the final.

In the other half, Sabalenka and Rybakina met again in the semi-finals after Rybakina had come from a set down to beat Pegula. This time Sabalenka won more comfortably, before defeating Gauff in three sets to take the Miami title as well.

For Wimbledon, Sabalenka’s month was significant. She has won four Grand Slam titles but has still not reached a Wimbledon final, so sustained form like this will strengthen the view that she could make her deepest run yet at The Championships. Rybakina, meanwhile, continues to look like one of the most dangerous players in the women’s field whenever she is fit and in rhythm.

What March means for Wimbledon

The last hard-court month before the focus turns fully to clay has left the Wimbledon picture looking clearer in some areas and less certain in others.

Sinner now looks to have re-established himself as the form player on the men’s side, while Alcaraz heads into the clay swing with a little more to prove than seemed likely earlier in the year. Sabalenka has underlined her status as one of the leading women to watch, while Rybakina continues to look like a major Wimbledon threat if she arrives healthy and confident.

There was also a direct piece of Wimbledon news in March. The Championships confirmed that video reviews will be available on the six main show courts for the first time this year, including Centre Court and No.1 Court. Players will be able to challenge calls such as possible double bounces, net touches and hindrance, adding another change to the match experience on Wimbledon’s main stages.

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